Q
I’m tired of the cold forcing me out of my treestand. I’m debating between the Heater Body Suit and battery-powered heated vests, socks, and gloves. Can you enlighten me with the pros and cons of each?
–Paul, via e-mail

A
Living in North Dakota, I’ve had plenty of experience with cold weather and have used both the Heater Body Suit (HBS) and battery-powered products. Each has its advantages.

The Heater Body Suit is one of those products you have to use before you understand how well it works. It’ll seem bulky at first, but once you get the system down, it is a great product. You can wear lighter clothing on the way to your treestand, so you don’t get sweated up, and once you’re belted in to the tree, you can slip into the HBS and be warm and comfy. Slipping out for the shot is easy and silent, because an interior harness keeps the suit up after you unzip it to grab your bow.

Battery-powered products will keep specific parts of your body warm. The Dutch Oven Vest or Kelvin Jacket from Sitka Gear are high-tech options that keep you warm with heating elements in strategic locations. They are rechargeable and have handy on/off switches, but they are expensive. Other electric garments like socks and gloves do work, but you have to deal with batteries.
–Curt Wells, Equipment Editor

Q
I’m going elk hunting this fall. I shoot a recurve that pulls 45 pounds at my 27-inch draw. I’m shooting carbon arrows that weigh 495 grains with 100-grain brass inserts and 125-grain two-blade Magnus Stinger broadheads. I plan to keep my shots at 25 yards and under. Is this setup adequate?
–L.A., via e-mail

A
I think it’s a little light for elk. If all goes well — meaning you make a perfect shot and the elk doesn’t jump the string — yes, your setup will work. But if all is not perfect, it might not… I shoot 55 to 60-pound recurves with Carbon Express arrows, Rocky Mtn. Ti-100 broadheads, and 100-grain brass inserts for arrows weighing 585 grains.

Also, remember this: My home state of Oregon requires at least 50 pounds draw weight for elk. I have not researched all the other states, but I know others have minimum draw weights, so check out the legal requirements in states where you plan to hunt.
–Larry D. Jones, TV Videographer

Q
What hunting packs were Curt Wells and Mike Carney wearing on their Georgia hog hunt for Bowhunter TV (Episode 1 — “Cutting the Pork”)?
–L.G., via e-mail

A
I wore a Nikon Field Recon Optics Pack. I generally use a daypack with shoulder straps because I’m always carrying two SLR cameras plus other gear. Find out more about that pack at www.nikonhunting.com/accessories-backpacks.html.

Mike’s pack was a Badlands Monster Fanny Pack. You can see Badlands’ new and improved model at www.badlandspacks.com/monster.php.
–Curt Wells, Equipment Editor

Q
This year I will be hunting bears over bait in Canada. My Parker bow is set at 52 pounds, and my draw length is 24 inches. Is this adequate for my upcoming hunt?
–Stacy Hill, via e-mail

A
Your setup is more than adequate for black bears. For what it’s worth, I personally shoot 60 pounds draw weight and have never failed to shoot through a bear, and I know many other hunters who have had excellent results with bows in the 45-50-pound range. Just be sure to wait for a standing broadside or quartering-away shot to ensure that your arrow penetrates both lungs. A good double-lung hit will bring down any bear quickly.
–Brian Fortenbaugh, Assistant Editor